Lords back right of unmarried couples

May 23, 2002 in Fostering and adoption

An amendment to the Adoption and Children Bill
that would allow unmarried couples, including those of the same
sex, to jointly adopt children won backing from a majority of MPs
this week.

A Conservative amendment to limit the move to
heterosexual couples was defeated by 301 votes to 174.

Former social worker David Hinchliffe’s
amendment to the bill was backed by 288 MPs while 133 MPs voted
against.

The change would allow unmarried couples to
adopt the 5,000 children in care awaiting for adoption.

BAAF Adoption and Fostering has welcomed the
vote. Chief executive Felicity Collier said: “We recognise that it
is a complicated issue, and we will be taking time to discuss it
thoroughly with members of the House of Lords”.